In 1979, future TANK guitarist Mick Tucker formed one of the first NWOBHM bands to appear on the legendary Neat Records label, AXIS.  Unfortunately for the band, the name AXIS or some permutation of the name, was and continues to be, used by at least 2,657 different bands (so much for originality).  Nevertheless, their debut single, 'Lady / Messiah' became as much a classic as can be attributed to the era, cited by Lars Ulrich as a major influence on the early sound of METALLICA.

Flame Burns On contains the only six studio tracks recorded by Axis, along with four live bootleg and rehearsal recordings. The sound quality of the live tracks varies, which is to say not very good, but they are the only known recordings of the band on stage.

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Funny story from Axis' touring days:

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Another time our bus had broken down so we had to hire a Luton van to get us to a gig in Wales. We were on the road to Tonypandy when the Luton stopped, back doors opened and we get out looking at a battered bridge over a gorge in Wales. If you were a sparrow you wouldn’t have landed on it! Apparently there had been a lot of storms that caused structural damage so there was a sign that read something like ‘Safe load..?’

Well this Luton with all the kit and us in it must’ve been well over the limit. To turn back would take hours, so our manager John Lancaster and soundman Paul Cleugh said… ‘Just jump in the back lads, we’ll turn round and find another way’. So we did, like fools. Back door shuts, van rev’s like it’s in a drag race, sets off with wheels screeching and us holding on to anything. We go 200 yards then stop and the back doors open. We have just gone over the bridge of death. Mr Lancaster and Mr Cleugh crying laughing to shouts of ‘Are you fucking mental’. I asked why they didn’t just let us walk across the death bridge. The answer was… “That would have been no fun at all”.

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